Post by Lady~RavenHeart on Sept 10, 2005 21:56:06 GMT 2
Children with fibromyalgia are treated in much the same way as adults, although, of course, any medication dosages must be adjusted for children's weight, and the doctor should also take into account any other drugs the child is taking. When thinking about what medications to prescribe or what over-the-counter drugs to recommend to parents, doctors should always consider any potential problems that may occur to a person who's still growing and maturing. If the doctor doesn't mention it, ask her about potential side effects that can affect children. Drugs do have side effects, so no one should be nonchalant about prescribing medication for children.
It can be very hard on parents when their children have medical problems that others may be suspicious about. The child says that she's in pain or is too tired to get up, but your mother says that she's just lazy, and your uncle says that you're "coddling" her. Maybe you have some underlying doubts yourself about whether your daughter is faking it, and that she could be a hypochondriac. These attitudes are the same kind that adults with FMS have to face. But if the doctor has confirmed that fibromyalgia is present, assume that it's real. And stop worrying about what everyone else thinks or feels. Your ill child urgently needs you to be her advocate. More important, remember that most children with FMS get better after they reach adulthood!
Using medication
Low doses of mild antidepressants, such as Elavil (generic name: amitriptyline), that are administered in the evening may help your child with sleep difficulties and may also ease pain. However, the child may complain of feeling very sleepy in the morning with this medicine, and some children also complain of headaches.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), over-the-counter or prescribed, may be considered as well. These include over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and prescribed drugs like Vioxx (generic name: rofecoxib) or Celebrex (generic name: celecoxib).
Pediatricians report that NSAIDs usually are more effective with treating arthritis in children than they are with treating kids with juvenile fibromyalgia, although NSAIDs may give some relief to some children. The primary side effect that's identified with NSAIDs is stomach upset, and continued use of NSAIDs can result in gastritis, or stomach inflammation.
Trying therapy
Because depression or anxiety often accompany fibromyalgia, the child or adolescent may benefit from receiving therapy as well as from taking antidepressants. As with adults, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches the child how to challenge irrational or negative thoughts, is usually the most effective type of therapy.
A child psychologist can provide CBT. But a child psychiatrist is the most suitable professional to prescribe medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs as well as other medications used to treat emotional problems. Medical doctors who aren't psychiatrists can also prescribe medications, but they're not usually as knowledgeable about medications for emotional problems as are child psychiatrists.
Your child need not be mentally ill in order to see a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychiatrists and psychologists often see children with minor to major emotional problems, and depression is common among children.
If you take your child with fibromyalgia to see a therapist, make sure that the therapist understands that the pain and symptoms of FMS are not solely created by a child's depression, anxiety, conflicts with parents or school, or other emotional issues. Symptoms may be worsened by such problems, but they don't cause the pain. If the therapist accepts that operating assumption, your child is more likely to succeed with the therapy that's provided.
Children up to the age of adolescence (and sometimes even teenagers!) may enjoy drawing a picture off Mr. Fibro as a way of communicating how they feel. After the child finishes the drawing, you and the child can briefly discuss Mr. Fibro. Don't deny his or her feelings, and let your child do most of the talking. (Adults tend to "jump in" before they're needed.)
It can be very hard on parents when their children have medical problems that others may be suspicious about. The child says that she's in pain or is too tired to get up, but your mother says that she's just lazy, and your uncle says that you're "coddling" her. Maybe you have some underlying doubts yourself about whether your daughter is faking it, and that she could be a hypochondriac. These attitudes are the same kind that adults with FMS have to face. But if the doctor has confirmed that fibromyalgia is present, assume that it's real. And stop worrying about what everyone else thinks or feels. Your ill child urgently needs you to be her advocate. More important, remember that most children with FMS get better after they reach adulthood!
Using medication
Low doses of mild antidepressants, such as Elavil (generic name: amitriptyline), that are administered in the evening may help your child with sleep difficulties and may also ease pain. However, the child may complain of feeling very sleepy in the morning with this medicine, and some children also complain of headaches.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), over-the-counter or prescribed, may be considered as well. These include over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and prescribed drugs like Vioxx (generic name: rofecoxib) or Celebrex (generic name: celecoxib).
Pediatricians report that NSAIDs usually are more effective with treating arthritis in children than they are with treating kids with juvenile fibromyalgia, although NSAIDs may give some relief to some children. The primary side effect that's identified with NSAIDs is stomach upset, and continued use of NSAIDs can result in gastritis, or stomach inflammation.
Trying therapy
Because depression or anxiety often accompany fibromyalgia, the child or adolescent may benefit from receiving therapy as well as from taking antidepressants. As with adults, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches the child how to challenge irrational or negative thoughts, is usually the most effective type of therapy.
A child psychologist can provide CBT. But a child psychiatrist is the most suitable professional to prescribe medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs as well as other medications used to treat emotional problems. Medical doctors who aren't psychiatrists can also prescribe medications, but they're not usually as knowledgeable about medications for emotional problems as are child psychiatrists.
Your child need not be mentally ill in order to see a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychiatrists and psychologists often see children with minor to major emotional problems, and depression is common among children.
If you take your child with fibromyalgia to see a therapist, make sure that the therapist understands that the pain and symptoms of FMS are not solely created by a child's depression, anxiety, conflicts with parents or school, or other emotional issues. Symptoms may be worsened by such problems, but they don't cause the pain. If the therapist accepts that operating assumption, your child is more likely to succeed with the therapy that's provided.
Children up to the age of adolescence (and sometimes even teenagers!) may enjoy drawing a picture off Mr. Fibro as a way of communicating how they feel. After the child finishes the drawing, you and the child can briefly discuss Mr. Fibro. Don't deny his or her feelings, and let your child do most of the talking. (Adults tend to "jump in" before they're needed.)
